Magical Realism and brilliantly choreographed fights: In 1924, slavery is officially abolished in Brazil. But many landowners still treat employees like serfs. A capoeirista fights against these inhumane structures – embodied in a sadistic colonel – and against the ban on the subversive fight dance.

A metaphorical search for freedom: In radical dance performed to the music of John Coltrane, to whom the film is dedicated, the filmmaker, actor and activist Zozimo Bulbul tells a story of slavery and liberation from it.